Lunch Time Supervisors Needed
Dear Davisville JPS/Spectrum Alternative families,
We are in need of lunchtime supervisors for our school. This is a paid position for an hour and 15 minutes per day. If you are interested in this position, please let us know at your earliest convenience. Please email the school principal: David.Finkelstein@tdsb.on.ca and vice principal: Ramona.Moftakhar@tdsb.on.ca.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Learning Session: How to Respond to Everyday Prejudice, Bias and Stereotypes
At Davisville JPS/Spectrum Alternative, we strive to ensure equitable and inclusive learning and working environments for all of our students, staff and families. This is an important element of our overall school vision and school goals. We recognize our duty to protect human rights and to proactively disrupt discrimination, racism, and bias in our school community.
Please join us for a Parent/Caregiver Learning session focused on how we can all work collectively together to create a school environment that is safe and welcoming for all students, staff and families. The session will provide information on how we can take collective action to ensure an inclusive school environment for all and will equip families with strategies to speak up, challenge and take a stand against bias, racism, and discrimination.
Please join us on:
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2023
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
PLEASE REGISTER using this form, to let us know you are coming and if you require childcare. Thank you!
Here is a guide that you may wish to review in advance of the session: How to Respond to Everyday Prejudice, Bias and Stereotypes. We hope you can join us!
Inclement Weather
With the winter comes snow and severe weather! At times, it is necessary to cancel student transportation, classes and/or programs. On rare occasions, severe weather makes it necessary to close TDSB schools, administrative offices or sites. Visit the TDSB website to learn about Snow/Cold Weather and the Procedure for Severe Weather.
Mental Health and Well Being - You Got This!
Winter Well-Being guide for 2022/23 created by the TDSB's Mental Health and Well-Being Committee has been updated to provide ongoing resources and ideas for Families/Guardians to promote mental and physical wellness during the winter months. Resources are culturally relevant and responsive with resources for students with Complex Needs. The Guide is translated into the top 21 TDSB languages spoken which is accessible here (Well-Being Guide).
The TDSB's Professional Support Staff (PSS) are here to help with anything you need to support your mental health and well-being and to help you navigate the tools and resources you may need. For more information, please click https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/Supporting-You/Mental-Health-and-Well-Being-Professional-Support-Staff-PSS.
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 for ages 5-29 for anonymous care from professional counsellors. Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
African Heritage Month at the Toronto District School Board: February 2023
Taken from TDSB website:
During the month of February, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes African Heritage (Black History) Month. It is an occasion to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of peoples of African descent to Canada and the world. The chosen theme for 2022-2023 is Black Joy.
The first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament was the Honourable Jean Augustine, who introduced a motion to the House of Commons to recognize February as Black History Month. In December 1995, Canadians officially recognized February as Black History Month across our nation. At the Toronto District School Board, a motion to recognize African Heritage (Black History) Month was carried in January 2002 and reaffirmed again in January 2004.
This year the contributions of numerous inspiring Black individuals will be highlighted. As we move forward towards December 2023 in marking 28 years since the Honourable Jean Augustine introduced a motion to recognize February as Black History Month across the nation, let’s pause and applaud her. Since December 1995, we continue to build a strong and robust foundation for all Black individuals across the nation. This motion brought us the opportunity to further learn about the African (Black) heritage and start the conversation that continues to flourish. We also applaud the TDSB for their 20 years contribution to recognize and celebrate African (Black) History Month.
Further we’re proud of the achievements made by the TDSB in how Black students continue to be supported directly with the creation of the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement Department, and the Africentric program at Leonard Braithwaite at Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute and Downsview Secondary School for our secondary students. Please take a moment to review our powerpoint on African Heritage Month that highlights inspiring Black individuals.
We are enthusiastic of the continuation of the Black Student Alliance elementary and secondary student groups that increase student voice and build capacity in student leadership. We are also appreciative of the continued collaboration between the TDSB and the York University Black Law Students’ Association in providing support to the Know Your Worth initiatives that include Black “Secondary” Youth Empowerment Conference, and Know Your Worth: Educator’s Conference. At this time, please refer to the above powerpoint for information regarding these opportunities.
This academic school year, “Joy” is one of the TDSB’s two overarching priorities. The importance of “joy, engagement and belonging in our schools as a foundation for academic achievement and student success; and the second priority being “eliminating disproportionate outcomes for students.” Black Joy emulates how Black People have been able to thrive as a People and as a Community, despite the systemic barriers and oppression faced.
Chinese Heritage Month at the TDSB – February 2023
Taken from TDSB website:
TDSB’s Chinese Heritage Month is proudly recognized in February each year. During this month, several learning resources and educational opportunities will be provided to our students and staff to further enhance their knowledge of the Chinese heritage.
In addition to Lunar New Year - The Year of the Rabbit, this year, the Chinese Heritage Committee selected a second theme: Honouring a Legacy of Conviction and Fortitude to mark the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 (known as the Chinese Exclusion Act). This Act restricted all people of Chinese descent from immigrating into Canada for 24 years, with only 15 Chinese immigrants being allowed entry into Canada from 1923 to 1946. Parliament officially repealed the act on May 14, 1947, and in 2006, the Government of Canada issued an
official apology to Chinese Canadians.
The discriminatory impact of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, the progress made afterward despite the Act, and excerpts of the Government of Canada’s official apology are highlighted in this
PowerPoint presentation.
English Kindergarten Registration Begins in February
Registration for all English TDSB Kindergarten programs begins in February. We look forward to welcoming you and your child at school in September!
To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-years-old by December 31. To register for Senior Kindergarten, children must be five-years-old by December 31. Families can begin the registration process online or visit their school in person to register. Information and detailed instructions about the registration process is available online at Kindergarten Registration
Update on Virtual Learning for 2023-24
Staff at the TDSB will continue to offer virtual learning for elementary and secondary students in the 2023-2024 school year. Virtual learning options are being offered as we know that some students and their families prefer this method of learning for a variety of reasons. The choice of virtual learning continues to be a choice in learning models rather than a pandemic response. The decision to offer this option now aligns with our typical staffing timelines which have been different in previous years due to the pandemic. It also aligns without out-of-area admissions.
Secondary
Regular programs and ISPs will be available at Virtual Secondary School, depending on available space. French Immersion, Extended French, LEAP, Alternative School, and Student Interest Programs are available in person only.
Elementary
The TDSB will continue to offer Virtual Learning (VL) for the 2023 - 24 school year for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. Regular programs and Intensive Support Programs (ISPs) will be available in Virtual Learning and are dependent on available space and viable programming.
French Immersion, Extended French, LEAP, Alternative Schools, and Student Interest Programs continue to be available in-person only.
Students currently in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7 who are requesting Virtual Learning for the 2023-2024 school year will need to complete the Elementary Virtual Learning Selection Form, including students who are currently in a VL class.
Students currently in an elementary VL class in JK to Grade 7 who would like to continue in Virtual Learning for the 2023-2024 school year MUST complete the selection form. Students who do not complete the form will be returned to their designated in-person school by address.
The online Selection Form will be available on the Virtual Learning website from Friday, January 27, 2023 to Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 6 p.m. Please complete only one submission per child. Once the form is submitted, it is a commitment for the entire 2023-2024 school year.
Learn About Special Education: Parent/Caregiver Sessions
Below are the links to our
Parent Engagement Session:
Tues. Feb. 28th flyer: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1i-FmmZ--1pP-Gf17s8GBfJLrc7CAuqql/edit#slide=id.p1
Wed. Mar. 1st flyer: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NBtRSFJL_AFe-rzpFaboDcx71dRt-ohD/edit#slide=id.p1
Regards,
